Changed by the Familiar: Encountering Missions in the New Testament

If you ask a group of Christians serious about their faith to name Bible verses on missions, there’s a good chance that most—if not all—of them will name one of a handful of common New Testament passages. If you grew up in church, you likely heard these verses over and over, quoted at conferences and mentioned in sermons about the Great Commission. They’re the ones printed on banners at campus missions weeks and slapped on social media images.

They’re the missions verses we’re most likely to know by heart. But have they changed your heart?

It’s easy to nod along in agreement when we hear familiar passages like these without pausing to allow them to do more than cause a brief blip of recognition as they pass between our ears. When was the last time you engaged with them slowly and prayerfully and invited them to do what they were written to do?

Whether you’ve heard them a thousand times or are just discovering what the Bible has to say about taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, read them—not just with your mind, but with your heart. Ask God to open your eyes to what these verses mean in today’s world and how they impact your life as a follower of Christ.

Luke 10:2

“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

How does knowing that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few impact you?

When was the last time you asked God to raise up more of His people to take the gospel across cultures?

Matthew 28:18-20

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” 

In His commissioning statements to His followers, found in every Gospel and the book of Acts, Christ commands His followers to take the good news to the nations. How does this command apply to you as a follower of Jesus?

Romans 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Can you honestly say that you aren’t ashamed of the gospel?

What fears might be standing in your way as you consider your role in the Great Commission?

Romans 15:20

"And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation ..."

Throughout the book of Acts, Paul sets an example of taking the gospel to people who don’t yet know of God’s gift of salvation; and in Romans 15:20, he shares his motivation. Are you motivated to give people who haven’t yet heard the message of Christ access to this good news?

Is there any way God is asking you to take action now?

Romans 10:14-15

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Paul’s logic makes the reality of the least-reached crystal-clear: People who’ve never been introduced to Jesus can’t call on Him for salvation; and unless someone is sent to share the gospel with them, they’ll never have this opportunity. How does this reality impact you?

Have you ever asked God what it would look like for you to have “beautiful feet”?

Revelation 5:9

How does knowing that Jesus gave His life for people from every nation—including people who don’t yet know His name—change your perspective?

Revelation 7:9-10

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

All of Scripture, from the early chapters of Genesis, is saturated with God’s heart for the nations—a purpose that culminates in Revelation as people from every tribe, people and language worship Him around His throne. How does knowing the end of the story change your desire to be part of it?

These verses weren’t intended to be merely memorized. They’re the living Word of God, written to infiltrate the deepest parts of us: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Have you invited them to change you?

If you’re considering how passages like these apply to you, we’d love to come alongside you! Email [email protected] to connect with us.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved